Chapter 20: Sherlock the pirate

'Present, London - 2010'

The first thing John did in the morning was checking up on his blog. Sherlock could have answered it. But there was no message, no comment on his entry. Disappointed at himself for having hope only to get it crushed the next moment.

John ignores his heart, telling it to shut up and gets ready for work. He still has no idea when the best idea was to tell Sherlock that he fell in love with him.

At the office he felt a different vibe, as of something was going on and he has no clue about it. Molly for example was far too happy for a normal day and her statement that she has special clothes for him doesn't cover the brightness of her mood.

"Pirates." John says as he looks into the mirror. There was no chance to get that wrong, but a bit disappointed John notice that he was no Captain, more an ordinary sailor.

"Looks good on you, much better than the Japanese thing." Molly's eyes get dangerous small. "I mean the clothes were brilliant but you don't have the look for it." Molly walked away as Greg sighs.

"That was a close one. You were the one that told me never speak about her clothes in a bad way." John comments.

"Didn't think before I opened my mouth. But I need to talk to you." John gets all his attention back to Greg, away from the coming mission. "Do you have time to go for a drink with me after work?" That sounds important.

"Yes, of course." Greg nods his thanks and gives John a knife.

"You will walk under blood thirsty pirates. You are allowed to defend yourself but don't kill anyone. Who knows who's ancestor it is."

"Okay no killing."

Mr. Holmes seem distracted, John had notice that he checked his phone every few minutes. "Ready sir." John stops in front of him to get his head back in the game he doesn't want to run into danger just because his boss was distracted.

"Good morning Mr. Watson." Mycroft gives him an old wanted poster. John looked down on the drawing. There was a bit of resembling but without the context it could have taken him a minute.

"Sherlock is a wanted pirate?" His boss nods and gets him the second item. A port log book from a place called New Providence. Sherlock signature was on the paper.

"He is traveling together with Benjamin Hornigold and Edward Thatch, better known as Blackbeard." Oh yes this name told him something, nothing good. "We know of his stay at the port through his sign. Benjamin Hornigold and Edward Thatch will soon go different ways. Hornigold dies three years later together with his whole crew. Blackbeard is more successful."

The drawing in his hand, didn't really look like Sherlock, except his eyes and they look haunted.

"You mission, find out why Sherlock is with them and why. Good luck

'~1717 AD, Caribbean'

John arrives at the late evening, the port was still busy and the pubs are full. Best guess where to find Sherlock was in one of the pubs with his companions. The first three pubs are crowed but no immortal to see. In the fourth he ask a huge and very smelly man. The man turned around, a long black beard swings with the movement. "What do you want small man." His breath was worse than the smell of his body.

"I'm looking for a friend, his name is Sherlock." If it wouldn't be seen as a sign of weakness John would step a few steps back, away from the smell.

"Oh our navigator has a friend?" John hadn't notice that their conversation wasn't private anymore as the whole room starts to laugh.

"Yes, he has and it would be nice of you to show me where he is." That got only more laughter from the men in the pub.

"Since when am I know as nice?" Blackbeard, who else could it be nearly shouts into his ear.

Before John could counter another man appears. "Ed, how about you go back to your game."

Blackbeard wasn't happy about it but nods. "You can deal with his guy, Ben." That has to be the other man Sherlock was sailing with.

"Sherlock is on the ship, the big one, you won't miss it. And when you find him, tell him he could come in and have a drink with us." John thanked the man; he saved him from the brutal Blackbeard.

Outside John takes a deep breath that didn't smell like something was rotting; now it was fish. He found the ship easily and Sherlock was sitting at the front, John called and Sherlock waved him up.

The ship was amazing; it only needed a good wash once in a while. John sits down next to Sherlock, looking over the water. "Never pictured you as a pirate." Sherlock laughs out.

"You saw me as a Greek oracle is being a pirate really that surprising?" Sherlock questions and gives him his bottle. It tastes like nothing then alcohol.

"I'm not really thinking about your carrier when getting ready for the next mission." Sherlock reached out for the bottle and John gladly gives it back. "So why do you choose to be a pirate?"

"Simple, I needed a lift back to Europa and the Caribbean Sea is still closer then where I was before and I'm the best navigator they ever had. Pirates have a low standard and I didn't really have competition." John was not really happy with the answer.

"And all the killing and stealing is alright for you? Nothing against your way but there are better ways to use your abilities to get a lift." Surprised Sherlock looked at him.

"What's wrong when people kill each other. They will do it with or without me. Ben is nice and Ed ... You have to avoid him drunk."

"I notice that." John grumble, very worried about Sherlock attitude. Of course he was right but still not a way to look at a human life.

"Are you alright?" Sherlock ask suddenly. "He didn't hurt you?" Confused John shakes his head. He didn't care about other people live but John was different.

"I'm alright, don't worry, Ben as you call him helped me. He seems to be the only one that kept Ed in check. But I think I should avoid further interaction with him. Oh by the way Ben invited you for a drink."

"Thanks but I won't go." Sherlock takes another sip of his drink. He doesn't look drunk but that could also be because he is used to it.

"How are you?" Sherlock meet his eyes.

"A bit drunk right now, tired and I think you have to leave now and I will be lonely again."

"You didn't found a friend on this boat?" Sherlock shakes his head.

"I think I need a bit more...clean people around me. People with a bit of sense for the world. I found another ship that will sail over back to the old continent as they call it. I have to look what is happening in the world." Probably for the best to leave them behind.

As the door of the pub opened he felt Sherlock's hand on his lower back. "You have to leave." He whispers, John said his goodbye and leaves. Still worried about Sherlock, but he couldn't change it.

'Present, London - 2010 '

John was worried and couldn't concentrate on changing back into his normal clothes. "John what's talking you so long?

"Mhm ... Ah what?" Molly rolls her eyes and Greg was impatient. After Molly had heard that the two men go out she wanted to come along. John had nothing to say in that and Greg was okay with it.

"What's worrying you. You like that since you came back."

Mycroft left so John could speak openly to his friends. "I have a bad feeling about Sherlock he was in a horrible mood. First I thought it was like Rome and the fire but it was different. He said he was tired."

"That can mean anything don't worry you can't change it right now."

"You can ask him the next time." John nods both had good arguments.

Due to the early hour they decided that a Cafe was a better place. And Molly could have her piece of cake. The Café they choose was a bit away from work. Not that any other of their colleagues would walk in but you never know. Greg seems nervous and Molly tries her best to smoot the mood.

"Greg whatever you tell us. We won't laugh and we will offer you everything that will help you, right John."

"She is right you can tell us." Greg was still unsure but he had asked them so he has to go through with it and they were the only people he would call friends.

"Alright, I want to ask out Mycroft." He didn't look them into their eyes. His were fixed on something on the table. "Before you judge, I know its unappropriated to think of the boss in that way but he is special and I saw a side of him that was caring and full of hope for something."

John was the first who talked he can see Molly's romantic soul nearly explode, the same with him and Sherlock. "I guess you asking us for advice how to proceed best?" Greg nods.

"Greg that's great you will be very good for the boss." Only a bit surprised about the supported Greg finally looked up.

"What should I do?"

"Maybe not at work, I think he will want to separate work and private life." John says and Molly nods, thinking the same. "Maybe another visit at his home. He invited you in the last time too." John was already thinking of an excuse why Greg had to visit again.

"You know where he lives?" Molly asks amazed. „That's perfect, visit and asks him out or brings him something to drink. What do you think is he more the wine or beer type?" Greg held up his hand.

"One second not so fast." He takes a breathe. "I thought you don't like him that much?"

"I trust you judgement and you told me he shows you a different side, another then this cold persona." John offered.

"That right it's only the job that makes him act like this." Molly smiled.

"Back to my question, wine or beer."

John got a call in his way home. Greg had left them to prepare for his maybe date with Mycroft. He and Molly had left soon after. The callers ID shows Mrs. Hudson´s name. "Good afternoon Mrs. Hudson." John said after answering the call.

"Oh John I find out something horrible." She was not in imminently danger but worried. "My tenant, he … I found out he takes drugs occasionally and I´m not talking about the light stuff. What should I do? He is such a troubled boy."

"Mrs. Hudson, your tenant could be the nicest guy in the world but after taking drugs people change, please don't go near him when he has taken something." What drugs could it be? "When he takes some and need me call. I will come over tomorrow afternoon after work, maybe I can talk to him." John could listen to her breathing relax.

"Thank you John, you are the best." They end the call. John wonders what this tenant is alike. She really has to like him, more like a mother would treat her son than a landlady her tenant. But drug were always dangerous. He should get a few flyer for rehab-center, and AA meetings for drug addict and he could offer medical supervision if he doesn't want to go to a place like that. Good that it wasn't to late so he could go to some clinics and get the information. It will also get him distracted from his worry about Sherlock. He couldn't change the fact that his Sherlock was somewhere in the eighteen centuries and he was in the year 2010.

AN: A darker chapter will follow, sorry need to build up to something.
Chapter 21: Under the mask